African Humanities Programme Fellows plan future involvement with Rhodes University

Rhodes University is currently hosting fellows from the last African Humanities Programme (AHP) cohort. Since 2009, the AHP has awarded fellowships to more than 450 early career scholars in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY). The programme that began in 2008-09 was due to conclude in 2020-21 but was extended due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dr Victoria Gbadegesin, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria, recently completed her second visit to Rhodes University. "When I came for my first residency in 2018, I had a very productive stay because of the well-resourced library, the conducive office space I was provided, and the rich network of scholars I met. It was not difficult to choose Rhodes University again for my more recent visit," explained Dr Gbadegesin.

Dr Ememobong Udoh from the Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages, University of Uyo, Nigeria, specialises in Phenology – particularly the morphological process of Anaang and Efik, two of the 500 languages of Nigeria. Dr Udoh signed up for the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) newsletter, saw the AHP advertised and applied. "I put Rhodes University as my first and second choice and a university in Ghana as my third," explained Udoh. "CCNY previously funded me to attend a school on African Linguistics hosted by the Department of Linguistics at Rhodes University. I first met Professor Ron Simango there and wanted to return."

Dr Richardson Addai-Mununkum, a Senior Lecturer of Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba in Ghana, became aware of the AHP through alumni briefings. "Dr Eric Debra returned from Rhodes University very excited and with great things to say about his experience," explained Dr Addai-Mununkum. "This prompted me to apply to Rhodes University."

Dr Addai-Mununkum's research pertains to the intersection between social linguistics and the formal education system. "I am focusing on Pidgin English, which is a street language, and its first-time acquisition in a formal school setting in Ghana," explained Dr Addai-Mununkum.

When asked about the overall experience, Dr Gbadegesin said: "I enjoyed every moment I spent in Makhanda. I particularly love that I could walk everywhere, and it was not difficult to get around to where I needed to be. I also met wonderful people who made the stay a beautiful one."

Dr Addai-Mununkum and Dr Udoh praised their landlady, who preempted their every need and whose hospitality far exceeded their expectations. "It was great that everything we needed to do was within walking distance of where we were staying," added Dr Udoh.

All three fellows appreciated their academic mentoring experience. Dr Gbadegesin, mentored by Professor Aretha Phiri, said: "The Department of Literary Studies in English was very supportive, and I benefited from the robust exchange with scholars, especially when I had my seminar on "Male Victimhood and Intersectionality in Aisha Onekata's His Royal Highness. "

"The mentoring from and engagement with Professor Simango has been fantastic and has added another dimension to my work. I am rethinking everything," said Udoh. "I like the culture in the Department. There is a tea break every morning at 10:30, and staff engage with each other. Every fortnight a staff member must prepare a seminar, which keeps everyone active and engaged in scholarship," concurred Dr Addai-Mununkum, who was hosted by the same department.

Dr Addai-Mununkum had the added benefit of engaging with colleagues in the Faculty of Education. "Colleagues were not only open to sharing ideas but were also receptive to learning from me. They invited me to do seminars with their postgraduate students to introduce them to software that I was using for my own work, he said.

While the AHP is ending in 2023, there are plans to build a vibrant humanities community on the continent through the African Humanities Association (AHA). Dr Gbadegesin plans to present a paper at the AHA inaugural conference from 27 to 29 November 2023. "I also intend to keep engaging with the scholars I met at Rhodes University for future collaboration," he stated.

Dr Addai-Mununkum has discussed staff and student exchanges with colleagues in the Institute of the Study of Englishes in Africa (ISEA), subject to funding. The Director of Internationalisation, Ms Orla Quinlan, suggested exploring Collaborative Online International Programmes (COIL) and has offered to share materials on setting up COIL programmes. 

Dr Udoh is hoping to continue his relationship with the Department of Linguistics. "Dr Addai-Mununkum and I are also planning on collaborating in the West African corridor," he added.

Rhodes University Emeritus Professor Fred Hendricks, who was a driving force behind the AHP, is now on the steering committee for the AHA, founded at an AHP Regional Assembly in Abuja in February 2020. "We are embarking on an ambitious programme of mobilising communities of scholars through a Clarion Call for an Engaged and Transformative Humanities," Professor Hendricks concluded.